NPS Biscayne Explorer - A standards-based, ranger-led program that brings marine science to students who perform tasks similar to those of park staff. The park's classroom is converted into a plankton lab where students learn about phyto and zooplankton, algae blooms, and water quality while making wet slides and identifying microscopic life inside a drop of water. The seining activity encourages students to get their hands wet as they catch and inventory juvenile fish while learning about current fisheries research. The visitor center exhibit hall surrounds students with dioramas of the park's four primary ecosystems and allows for in-depth individual learning and exploration. Biscayne Explorer classes usually arrive around 9:30 and leave around 1:30. Upon arrival to the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, students will be greeted by a park ranger and given a brief orientation. They will then be divided into groups of 10-15 students to rotate through 45-60 minute activity stations. Some activitiy stations examples are: Plankton Lab, Seining, Nature Walk, and Visitor Center Exploration. We also offer canoeing and fishing clinics for students 4th grade and older if staffing, timing, and weather permit.
NPS Biscayne Voyager! (In development. We expect to offer this special limited program beginning in January, 2022) Students will navigate across the bay aboard a Coast Guard Certified park concessioner vessel to Boca Chita Key. While on Boca Chita, students will work in small groups and rotate through several stations: exploring the light house, doing a 1 mile natural walk around the island, and seining along the shallow shoreline.
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Last updated: November 20, 2021